A Favor Owned part I

Chisato’s POV

Ever since Takina visited my house a few days ago, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the Alan Institute. It’s honestly much closer than we thought… and yet, there’s still so much we don’t know. What’s clear for now is that they’re operating in Hawaii—at least to some degree. But where in Hawaii?

And what’s this about “training”? As far as I knew, the Alan Institute didn’t create “talents,” they just supported them from the shadows… That’s what makes me wonder if we’re even talking about the same Alan Institute anymore. Still, it’s the only lead we’ve got.

“Chisato!” Mika-sensei’s voice brings me back to reality.

“Sorry! I was just thinking…” I say as I continue cleaning my gun and organizing bullets into my backpack. We’re at LycoReco’s operations base. In front of me is a large table in the main room covered in gear, which Mika-sensei is cleaning and maintaining.

“Still thinking about that Alan Institute lead?”

“How could I not? I feel like I’m so close and yet so far from something.”

“The Alan Institute tried to manipulate you for years, Chisato. Don’t you think you’ve earned a break? It’s not your responsibility to fix everything.” I can hear the concern in Mika-sensei’s voice, and I think I get it—at least to some extent. I know he sees me like a daughter… and honestly, I see him as a father too.

“But it is my responsibility, Mika-sensei. I know what happens in that place. I know what it feels like when it happens to you too… I can’t ignore it. Not when I have the skills and resources to fight back.” 

“It bothers me that even after all this time, I’m still dealing with the Alan Institute. Of course I wish I could just walk away and move on…” For a moment, Takina’s image flashes through my mind.

“But I can’t leave things like this. I need closure. Or it’s something that will haunt me forever—and not just metaphorically,” I add, thinking of the boy who came to stab me.

Mika-sensei goes silent for a moment, thoughtful, then lets out a long sigh.

“Okay… I understand. Let me help, then.” He heads to his office and returns a few minutes later with a small piece of paper in hand, which he holds out to me.

I take it and read the name and number written on it “Ishihara Reina? Who’s that?”

“An old friend. I don’t know all the details, but I know she was involved with the Alan Institute at some point—similar to the way I was with Shinji. The difference is, she was much more directly involved before she eventually cut ties entirely.” Mika-sensei sits beside me and places a hand on my shoulder.

“You were the reason for that. She knew about your situation. She saw firsthand how you refused to go along with the mission they gave you. I think that opened her eyes. A few months later, she disappeared. Before that, we got a chance to talk, and she gave me this contact. I’ve never tried reaching out, but I think if you can, it could really help.”

“This… is incredible! Even if the number doesn’t work, we’ll find a way.” Things are finally starting to look a little more hopeful.

“But Chisato, I want you to realize something. Even before you consciously decided to do it, just the way you live has been striking back at the Alan Institute. There are many ways to reach the same goal.” Mika-sensei stands and heads back toward his office.
“If you find Reina, please tell her I said hi… and that I finally had the courage to do what we never could back then.”

His last words sound a little cryptic… but I’ll pass on the message. I’m definitely going to find this person.

“We’ve got work, partner.” I text Takina.

Seconds later, her reply comes in:

“You’re absolutely right. The work started exactly 54 minutes ago.”
Attached is a photo: Takina, Mizuki, and Kurumi in the LycoReco coffee truck, with a long line of customers outside. The expressions on Mizuki and Kurumi’s faces say it all, but I can see Takina smiling—just a little.

Sure, the Alan Institute keeps trying to mess with me from the shadows…
But at least today, I decide to make it my day.

The work I do with my friends, and the help I offer others, matters just as much.

“On my way, partner. I want to see that smile in person!”